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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

If you live in the United States, on Thursday this week you'll be eating with friends, neighbors, or the folks, unless you have other circumstances, like having to work. I wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!Sometime this weekend, you might want to read a book. If you pull out your handy eBook reading device and discover that you've already read everything on there that looks interesting, I've got the solution right here: the Thanksgiving Blockbuster eBook Sale!Even if you still have books to read on your device, don't forget the coming winter, when you will snap your fingers and tell yourself, "Sheesh! I could have bought that neat ebook for a song!"

Don't be that guy or gal.

Several of my author friends, who write in lots of different genres, have banded together during this five-day weekend to bring you special discounts on ebooks.The Thanksgiving Blockbuster eBook Sale runs from Thursday, November 26 through Monday, November 30. That's from the U.S. Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. Prices will go back up on Tuesday, so don't miss this event!Genres include:

Rulon Owen loves two things more than lifeóhis country and Mary Hilbrands.

When Virginia secedes from the Union, Rulon enlists and finds himself fighting foes both in battle and in his own camp. He struggles to stay alive against all odds, with a knife-wielding tent-mate and a Union army that seems impossible to defeat. It will take every ounce of vigilance he has to survive and, with a little luck, he might make it home to his wife and the son he's never seen.

Forced to live with her parents for the duration, Mary faces a battle for independence. With a mother whispering that her husband won't come home to her and a son who needs her to be both father and mother, Mary has to dig deep for strength to overcome her overwhelming loneliness and the unknown future ahead.

Separated by war and circumstance, Rulon and Mary discover that not all enemies wear the Union blue.

Carl Owen doesn't intend to lose anything not his land, not his cattle, and certainly not his girl ever again!

The young cavalryman returns from the Civil War to find the family farm destroyed, his favorite brother dead, food scarce, and his father determined to leave the Shenandoah Valley to build a cattle empire in Colorado Territory. Crossing the continent, Carl falls in love with his brother's fiancÈe while set to wed another girl, but he might lose everything if the murderous thug Berto Acosta has his way. Carl battles a band of outlaws, a prairie fire, blizzards, a trackless desert, and his own brotheróall for the hand of feisty Ellen Bates.

Estranged from his family, James Owen leaves home to make a new life for himself. The
turbulent world of post-Civil War Colorado Territory is fraught with danger and prejudice that increase his bitter loneliness as personal setbacks threaten to break him. Then James's journey brings him into contact with another wayfarer, beautiful young Amparo GarcÈs, who has come from Santa Fe to Colorado to marry a stranger. Through a twist of fate, their futures are changed forever when their lives are merged in a marriage of convenience. James and Amparo undertake a hazardous
horseback trek over Raton Pass to Santa Fe, battling their personal demons, a challenging language barrier, and winter's raging storms.

Jessie Bingham put heartbreak away to tend to her sister's needs, but when she settled for second best in love, she didn't foresee that James Owen would come back into her life.

The aftermath of
the Civil War creates cruel circumstances for the Bingham family. A brutal attack on Jessie's sister, Hannah Fletcher, drives the extended family to flee to the West. They are soon joined by Heppie Bingham's beau George and his brother, Ned, who bring news that the Binghams are being pursued by cronies of Hannah's attacker. Even after they fight off that onslaught, poverty, bad weather, and Hannah's frightful secret plague their journey. Nursing her battered heart when she hears James Owen took a wife, Jessie accepts Ned's offer of marriage. But a stop on the trail holds surprises that launch Jessie into a bewildering tangle of values, emotions, and high adventure.

Marie Owen yearns for a loving husband, but Colorado Territory is long on rough characters and short on fitting suitors, so a future of spinsterhood seems more likely for her than wedded bliss.

Her best friend says cowboy Bill Henry is a likely candidate. Marie knows her class-conscious father would not allow such a pairing. When she challenges her father to find her a suitable husband before she becomes a spinster, he arranges a match with a neighbor's son. Then Marie discovers Tom Morgan would be an unloving, abusive mate and his mother holds a grudge against the Owen family. Marie's mounting despair at the prospect of being trapped in such a dismal marriage drives her into the arms of a sweet-talking predator, landing her in unimaginable dangers

Siri de Calendri was trained in the art of illumination in her brotherís workshop in 12th century Venice, but when her brother dies his will sends her far from home. Siri travels to the faraway county of Poitou in France, where she enters the guardianship of her brotherís friend, Triston de Brielle. Once settled, she hopes to find employment in an illuminatorís shopóuntil Triston unexpectedly snatches her heart away with a kiss.

Triston is a man of quiet honor and courage, but the guilt he carries for the death of his wife, Clothilde, has left him numb and hesitant to love again. Worse yet, Siri bears an uncanny resemblance to his lost love. Or does she? Her merry laughter and twinkling eyes are very different from his late wife's shy smiles and quiet ways. Yet when he gazes into
Siri's face, all he sees is Clothilde.

Then Triston's past returns to threaten them both. Trapped between the rivalry of the king's sons on the one hand and a neighbor out for vengeance on the other, Triston realizes it would be safer to send Siri away. Siri is determined not to be cast off and not to live in another womanís shadow. She has illuminated many a priceless book with pen and paint, but can her own vibrant spirit illuminate the darkness in Tristonís soul and make his heart beat for her alone?

Sir Balduin de Soler gave up long ago on love. He never had the means to support a wife until an unexpected advancement in his fifties allows him to reassess his future just as the lovely Lucianna enters his life.

Lucianna Fabio harbors a secret, painful memory from her past that has kept her unwed, as well. Now in her forties, she thought herself too old to marry until she meets Sir Balduin. Now suddenly their lonely autumn lives feel very much like spring again . . . until Luciannaís brother appears without warning and threatens to revive the secret that will destroy Luciannaís second chance at love.

Loving Lucianna is the first in my new ìHearts in Autumnî romance series, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines ìin the autumn of their years.î Because youíre never too old to fall in love!

Loving Lucianna is based on characters that appear in my title, Illuminations of the Heart.

When Burthred comes courting on Christmas Eve, Meg rejects his advances. She has her heart set on becoming a nun and insists that he call her Christina, the spiritual name she has chosen for herself. She tries to make him swear on her box of holy relics that he will not pursue her, but he carefully words his oath to allow him to stay in her candlelit chamber and try to change her mind.

What Meg does not confess is that her reliquary box holds a secret.

Burthred needs a wife, and no one will satisfy him except Meg. He swore on his fatherís deathbed that he would marry her. But Burthred has a secret, too. When they come together before the Yule fire, their shared revelations will either join their hearts together or tear them apart.

and Sandy can no longer resist the urge to unleash her mermaid form. But a simple swim in Lake Ontario ends when she discovers the truth of her own banishment. When long time crush, Dylan, seems to shift in a direction she never dreamed possible, Sandy must make a choiceómermaid or human? Once she chooses, she can never go back.

A banished Seligh lord rules the Winterlands with an iron fist and his pets, the balmorae, patrol the borders against all intruders, guarding the secrets hidden beneath his icy lair. A young woman rediscovers her heritage, a gift of magic and dancing that opens portals between worlds. She holds the fate of their world in her hands. A strange prophecy haunts the Seligh lords, rulers of the Fey and controllers of all magic in the Summerlands, a prophecy that foretells their fall. All who live within the lands of the Fey must choose where they standóbeside the Dancer or opposed to her.

Second Chances by Jaleta Clegg
Science Fiction Short Story
Bargain price $0.99 at Amazon
FREE at Smashwords

Stranded on a primitive world, betrayed by her crew, facing death at the hands of the natives, hunted by drug smugglers, Captain Dace has one hope of survival - convince the Patrol agent trying to kill her that she's innocent. But on Dadilan, no one is innocent.

The eyes are windows to the soul. What would you find if you could look deep enough? These ten tales of science fiction and fantasy explore characters good and evil, placid and troubled, dark and light. Journey through the windows of the soul. You may be surprised by what you find. Original stories by Jaleta Clegg.

Ready to feel the chills running down your spine? Wait, that's just the green gelatin monster from one of the stories in this collection of very silly (and a few not-so-silly) horror stories. Vampires, werewolves, demons, mummies, and zombies compete with evil little Shirley Temple look-alikes and their collectibles, centerpieces and church women, cops and monster hunters, for your laughs. It's a light-hearted take on the horror genre.

The Fall of Awa - Story 1 of The Masacado Scrolls by Charles T Whipple
Japanese Fantasy/Adventure Short Story
Bargain Price $0.99
Warning: Violence/Adult Themes

The world is in turmoil as the mighty armies of the Toh call on the dark powers of Yami, lord of the underworld, to help them destroy all in their way. At last they come to the little kingdom of Awa. Lord Masaharu and his army cannot defeat the Toh. Invaded by Kage shadow warriors, Awa falls. The royal family dies. And all the servants are given to the Hinin, non-people who scavenge to live. Ryo, despite her spiritual talent of reikan, becomes a slave. Yet she must protect the baby growing in her mother's womb. Can she defeat the Haigorei and save the life of the last royal son?

The Shadow Shield - Story 2 of The Masacado Scrolls by Charles T Whipple
Japanese Fantasy/Adventure Short Story
Bargain Price $0.99
Warning: Violence/Adult Themes

Ryo has been called and anointed Seeker. And every Seeker, by sadame, has a Shielder to protect her. Kaku, a shadow warrior or Okuhida, feels his sadame call as Shielder to Ryo. He must travel a thousand ri and more to reach her side at Awa Omote. During his journey, he gains two helpers, a giant Tengu named Golan and an unknown slave girl called Nanashi or No Name. Can they defeat the oni demons and hannama denizens of the deep? Will they be able to protect Ryo, the Seeker?

The Road to Kio - Story 3 of The Masacado Scrolls by Charles T Whipple
Japanese Fantasy/Adventure Short Story
Bargain Price $0.99

Koziro is anointed of Amaterasu. In time, if he grows in knowledge and wisdom, he must wrest the eight Kingdoms of Kanto from the evil Toh. But first, he must take a journey on the road to Kio, the ancient city of the emperors. The Toh, Yami, lord of the underworld, and all the dark forces wish to prevent Koziro from achieving his quest. What is in Kio that Koziro must not learn? When his protectors are captured in a magic cavern, can Koziro persevere?

The Horse Soldiers - Story 4 of The Masacado Scrolls by Charles T Whipple
Japanese Fantasy/Adventure Short Story
Bargain Price $0.99

Noritsugu, by heritage, is captain of the horse guard that serves the Toh. By his conscience, he cannot condone what Michizane, the Toh overlord, does. In the course of morbid events, Noritsugu saves a virgin girl from ritual defiling by Michizane and the black priests. To survive, he must get her to the shrine of Amaterasu, the only holdouts of the Almighty in Toh lands. There he finds the girl is a princess, who by sadame is to marry the Anointed One. Noritsugu and his Yotsu horse soldiers are anointed Bearers and given the task of delivering the princess to Awa Omote, thousands of ri away.

Nami of the Waves - Story 5 of The Masacado Scrolls by Charles T Whipple
Japanese Fantasy/Adventure Short Story
Bargain Price $0.99

After the Anointed of Amaterasu, even Masacado, did begin his journey to Kio the Imperial City in search of enlightenment and wisdom, behold, others were raised up by the Almighty to join in the search for the lost talismans of Amaterasu. One of these chosen was Nami, daughter of the Sea Lord, Umihiko, whose gift from Amaterasu shall be revealed henceforth. Let it suffice to say that she is entitled the Fuku, that is, bringer of good fortune. May her own fortune ever be boundless.

As with the account of The Horse Soldiers, I will now lay aside my brush so those who read of the Fuku, a stalwart subject of Amaterasu, might search the accounts and come to believe in the might and sacred power of Amaterasu Omikoto, creator of all and ruler of Heaven and Earth. So I have written and so shall it be done. Sayo nara, and sayo nara.

Non Fiction/Self-Help/Memoir

Home is Where the Learning is For Highschoolersby Valerie Steimle
Non Fiction/Education
Regular price $2.99
Discount price FREE

High school is often the most intimidating aspect of homeschooling. Most parents don't know anything about preparing
transcripts for college, and the unknown is scary. Home Is Where the Learning Is for High Schoolers helps parents learn the necessary classes for acceptance into college or trade school, as well as information on how to write high school transcripts, how to plan and execute a graduation, transitioning from public school, and more.

A true story, told using the memories of a child--the author's inner child; a story of survival--a love story without romance, but with hope. The author recounts the age-old struggle between good and evil. Jesus Christ has been saving souls throughout human history, and is a part of this story, too.

Marie never expected to wake up in North Pole City, let alone become Santaís Emergency Replacement. It was a job she never wanted but couldnít turn down, thanks to Clarence, Santaís right hand man.

Now, Marie has to work with Clarence, who believes she is some kind of criminal who will cause the destruction of everything he holds dear. Trying to prove that heís wrong, Marie keeps making mistakes that push them even further apart. It doesnít help that she has a past sheíd rather keep hidden. However, trying to keep her past where it should belong isnít easy.

Just when Marie starts to feel like things are coming together, a madman with a bone to pick, and Christmas to ruin, threatens the whole of the North Pole Organization. Marie must rely on Clarence and her new friends to help her face her past before Christmas is gone forever. But does she have the courage to truly be herself when it could mean losing everything?

Menarm was a great and prosperous kingdom, known throughout the lands for its friendly, hard-working people and fair trade. But a bitter struggle of succession between brothers left the kingdom devastated, the people divided. Some stayed with Fenil, who had conquered the crown, others followed Renil to the wild lands of the north, founding a new kingdom.

Now Adren, the last princess of the vanquished realm of Menarm, finds herself alone in a world where women live in the shadows of men. Not only must she battle her enemies, but also a truth that could obliterate her last hope for happiness and bring dishonor to all those whom she hold dear. On her quest, she finds unlikely allies in a powerful prince and a defiant
mercenary, only to be devastated by an ancient and wily elf. Will Adren be able to survive this final assault?

The Elf and the Princess is a brilliant tale of true love, high adventure, and medieval-style warfare between elves, men, and orcs. Drawing inspiration from the myths and legends of Europe and from such writers as J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien, Anna del C. Dye spins a completely original tale that will leave the reader wanting more.

In the serene and beautiful city of the elfs, life has changed but little since Menarm was destroyed and the war ended. Three springs have passed and Adren, the last princess of Menarm, has settled into her new life. Her champion, the Silent Warrior, has not been seen since the battle at Wilapond.

Suddenly the peaceful life in her new kingdom is challenged by enemies the elfs are unable to fight. Disaster seems imminent for their whole race. Will Adren have to witness the destruction of this kingdom and once again find herself alone in the
world? Or can the Silent Warrior come to her rescue and save them all?

Once again Anna's inspiration from the myths and legends of Europe and from writers such as J.K. Rowling and J.R.R. Tolkien has woven a new and completely original tale full of suspense, adventure, and medieval-style warfare in Trouble in the Elf City, Book Two of "The Silent Warrior Trilogy". This tale of high adventure between elfs and men will take you to a fantasy world that will leave you asking for more. Join in the continuing saga of Adren and the elfkind, in Book Two.

On their visit to the vanquished Kingdom of Menarm, the elfs face many uncertainties. However, they are strong in numbers and sure of their purpose. Zyrthal, the young elf strategist, is given the task of finding the kingdom's hidden treasures; but instead the elfs encounter ruthless highwaymen.

Meanwhile, the two half-elf princes play among the ruins of Menarm to their hearts' content while their parents attend to
their work, cleaning and repairing the houses around the castle in an effort to revive the city. It is a hard job and they could run short on time. In the midst of all this commotion the boys disappear from the dead kingdom.

Brigands want riches and they will let the boys go if the city of Menarm gives up its treasures to them. They allow only one
person to go to verify that the boys are alive and the elfs confide in the most harmless figure among them: The Menarm Princess. The outlaws have no clue as to the hidden shadow that will accompany her, the Silent Warrior.

Yet Adren's warrior has been battling demons of his own and finds himself in great doubts concerning his performance as the champion of the last Princess of Menarm. These shadows in his heart double with the disappearance of the two half-elf princes and he harbors misgivings that he won't succeed in rescuing the young boys and thwarting the mercenaries. The Silent Warrior fears that he has fallen from Adren's graces forever.

Elfs in a Conquered Realm is the outstanding finale to "The Silent Warrior Trilogy". Anna has answered all the open questions in the continuing saga of this beautiful race. A masterpiece of storytelling, "The Silent Warrior Trilogy" will leave you with a sense of peace, love, and great accomplishment and take you on a journey you will not soon forget.

An arrangement made when Elizabeth was just a babe ties her to someone she has never met, never spoken to, never loved. Now she desires freedomóa way to choose her own pathóher own husband. The moment Elizabeth meets Patrick she knows he is her soul mate. But when you are bound to a crown how is any choice your own?

What would you do if one night, life as you know it changes and you are left alone in despair? That is how Emerineís nightmare starts and now all he does is run.

His family lived at the edge of the forest until dark shadows killed them all. Now they want him, and so does a magic tree. He has never seen dark shadows or enchanted trees before. Emerine has to get to the heart of Red Forest, to the fairy people. Only then he will be safe. Safe? He has never heard of fairies before and once he gets there, what?

Lexi Court spent seven years traveling the world, living the nomadic Broadway life, in an attempt to outrun the broken heart Nick Rivers gave her. Now, thereís nowhere left to go.

When she accepted a position as a high school drama teacher in Las Vegas, Lexi hoped to get over Nick, find a nice guy, and settle down. But what should be a quiet summer gets turned upside down when Lexi's best friend, Taffy, drafts her to be an emergency replacement coach on a televised vocal competition.

Feeling out of her league among the other three celebrity coaches, Lexi fights for the most promising contestants to be on her team. One note from a single voice shatters her summer. Nick unexpectedly auditions and joins Lexi's team. With her vocal crush on him raging as strong as ever, she has nowhere to run from Nickís dreamy looks or siren voice.

Lexi has no doubt that Nick can win the competition. The question is does he want to win her heart as well or will he damage it beyond repair?

Think television reality show "The Voice" mixed with Jane Austen's Persuasion.

What happened in Vegas should stay there, not follow Amanda home, newly wedded to the man who broke her heart.

After celebrating college graduation with her friends in Las Vegas, Amanda St. Claire wakes up with a terrible hangover and a ring on her finger. Her day gets worse when she finds out she's married to rich playboy Blake Worthingtonóthe guy she has loathed the past four years. Amanda convinces Blake to legally terminate the marriage and they both return home like nothing ever happened. That is, until Blake shows up on her doorstep and Amanda has to come clean with her family.

Together for better or worse while the legalities are cleared, Amanda reluctantly plays along, but then the unthinkable happensóshe finds herself falling in love with Blake.

Can they overcome the past? Or will it end their future before it even starts?

Those who enjoy What Happens in Vegas and The Prince and Me will find a kindred spirit in Ring on Her Finger.

Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees Renatta fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes her hospital volunteer, only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. Her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancÈ stand in the way of happily-ever-after, so Antonio must win Renattaís heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.

When Jessica Mobleyís husband abandons her and flies off to Mexico to meet another woman, itís the tip of the iceberg. She soon unravels his porn addiction and her financial ruin.

Jessica tries to keep up an appearance that all is well, but ultimately she resorts to drastic measures to support her three children. She guts part of her home to start a preschool and rents out another two rooms.

Her life is soon filled with new friends and activities, but the new friends bring problems of their own. Is hope and healing possible as they strengthen one another and rely on the Lord? And will romance find its way into Jessicaís heart again?

Intercession is a story of love and friendship loaded with drama, inspiration, loss and the tenacity of one woman who finds her strength in the Lord.

Kayla Morrison, an LDS young single adult, grew up in an unloving, verbally abusive home. Itís no wonder sheís skeptical when charming, successful Chris Christensen brings up love on their first date. Making things worse, her former fiancÈ shows up later and claims Chris doesnít love her.

Meanwhile Kaylaís father drops the bomb that heís not her real father. And then he dies, setting Kayla on an arduous quest to discover who she really is, and if sheís worthy of anyoneís love.

Along the way she establishes new friendships and treasures current friends. But will the drama of her friends and family strengthen her, or will it cause her to withdraw back to her destructive beginnings?

Renewal is the continuing story of love and friendship in the Hope and Healing Series. It is a story of redemption and faith in the Savior, Jesus Christ.

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the
25-year-old Colorado high school teacher wants is to forget that her dead fiancÈ was a cheating scumbag. What she plans is a vacation diversion; what fate provides is Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the shipís make-believe world and its temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn came on the cruise to forget. But Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs off in a panic.

Things are bad enough when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruiseís snorkeling excursions in American Samoa. However, paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped. Lynís fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

Elle Reinhardt loves people and has a gift for turning groups of strangers into friends. When she talks her best friend Lyn into taking a month-long Pacific cruise, Elle is in her element, gathering fellow passengers to her. But things go horribly wrong when a ship excursion ends in death and disaster at the hands of modern-day pirates.

Filled with her own emotional wounds from the experience, Elle tries desperately to buoy up the grieving loved ones as they wait for news on those lost at sea. Malcolm Armstrong, friend of one of the missing men, arrives to act as family spokesman. Elle knows itís unreasonable, but she resents his presence. When Mal offers the strength she so desperately needs, will she be able to let go of her animosity and accept his support?

This ebook-exclusive short story includes special excerpts from both A Change of Plans and Torn Canvas.

Itís a time of change for Jori Virtanen. The former playboy model is about to be married. He juggles wedding arrangements, a bachelor party, and plans for keeping the ceremony secret from the press. But Jori has another problem. He has to figure out how to tell one of his best friends, Marc North, that his girlfriend may not be what she appears.

This ebook-exclusive short story includes a special excerpt from Swing Vote, Safe Harbors #3.

There's no way Taryn's taking Blake's place as president of the student body. As soon as the memorial for him and six of their friends is over, she's resigning as VP. Really. Except people say the fire was no accident. (She says it's way too easy to blame someone who's dead.) When Taryn reads the writing on the wall, literally, the bathroom wall, she knows what it means. To get to the truth she has to come out from under her paisley comforter. But seriously, what stage of grief says Taryn has to be the one to fix what's wrong at Ideal High? Maybe she's the one who's broken.

Escaping her past, Aubrey Tate moves to Southern California for a fresh start with her older brother, Brandon. Starting over at a new school seems easy with her cousin, Mckayla, and her two best friends at her side, but handling the new guys is another matter. Aubrey ends up in the middle of three rivals that each wants her to themselves. Mike claims her first and declares himself her friend and protector. Luke is the school heartthrob that stops Aubrey in her tracks, speechless. Gage is the mysterious, dark outsider that Aubrey can be herself around. How will she navigate her new life while she's still haunted by her past?

In the sequel to Begin Again, Aubrey Tate finally finds where she belongs.

Living with her brother in California, finding new friends she can trust; things are finally beginning to settle down for Aubrey. Then she receives the note that changes everything. The past she thought she left behind is still following her.

Now she faces the threat of a stalker who has the potential to unravel her perfect new life. This time, she has her friends and brother helping her, but will they be enough to save her from her real life nightmare?

Married to one of the most lucrative and sought after plastic surgeons in SoCal, Megan Hamilton has it all. Her posh life, designer clothes, and stunning penthouse leave her wanting for nothingÖ or do they?

NSA data analyst Samantha Perry never imagined life as an introverted computer geek could get dangerous, but when she digs a little too deep into a greedy blackhatís business, trouble comes right to her doorstep. Changing her identity and relocating nearly 2000 miles across the country are only the beginning of her problems. As she risks everything to try to close the case that turned her life upside down, she may end up putting a nail in her own casket. And if she doesnít, Seth, her hot
new neighbor, just might.